If MPs and Ministers out there can sometimes change their minds... why can’t you? Check out the sheer hypocrisy of these politicians.

First published on 30 August 2019 | Updated: 31 August 2019.

Below are just a few examples of British politicians who have been changing positions over Prorogation of Parliament in the past few weeks, yet they believe voters cannot have the same right for, according to them, the decision taken in 2016 is sacrosanct and nobody has changed their minds since. The sheer hypocrisy of these politicians...

Note: The list below is not exhaustive and more familiar faces will be added soon...

Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

Amber Rudd told Sophy Ridge last June, “It would be absolutely outrageous and ridiculous” for Boris Johnson to prorogue Parliament, and that she felt as strongly about it as Rory Stewart who then suggested he would be ready to set up an alternative Parliament across the road.

Now:

She told journalists on Thursday, “I’m going to continue doing my job as secretary of state for work and pensions.” She has so far not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If she can change her mind, why can’t you?

Amber Rud./ Sky News.

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

In a debate with other Tory Leadership contestants on Channel 4, Michael Gove told an audience, “I think it would be a terrible thing if, having said we should have more power in this country and trust our institutions more, we shut the doors on Parliament. It is your Parliament. I will always stand up and fight for our democracy.”

On another occasion, speaking to Andrew Marr, he said “We must respect the fact that we are a parliamentary democracy... Suspending or, as the Constitutional experts call it, proroguing parliament in order to try to get no-deal through, I think would be wrong.”

Now:

He has so far remained silent and has not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If he can change his mind, why can’t you?

Michael Gove./ Channel 4 Debate.

Michael Gove./ BBC Andrew Marr Show.

Sajid Javid, Chancellor — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

During the Tory Leadership Contest, Sajid Javid said about prorogation of Parliament, “You don’t deliver on democracy by trashing democracy... We are not selecting a dictator of our country.”

Now:

He has so far remained silent and has not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If he can change his mind, why can’t you?

Sajid Javid./ BBC.

Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

After “At a One Nation hustings, we quized both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt about prorogation. Neither said it was an option that there would be wanting to pursue. I think it would be extraordinary. I think it would lead to a Constitutional crisis.”

Now:

She told journalists on Thursday, “I’m a member of the cabinet, I fully support the prime minister.” She has indeed so far not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If she can change her mind, why can’t you?

Nicky Morgan./ ITV News.

Matt Hancock, Health Secretary — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

During the Tory Leadership Contest, Matt Hancock told an audience that the idea of shuting down Parliament “That goes against everything those men who waded onto those beaches fought and died for... And I will not have it.”

He also wrote a letter to MPs stating, “A policy on Brexit to prorogue Parliament would mean the end of the Conservative Party as a serious party of government. I rule out such a course of action. I call on you to do the same.”

Now:

Matt Hancock has spoken! On Saturday, he finally showed up and told journalists... that he only found out about Boris Johnson’s decision to shut down Parliament after it was made public, but that he didn’t raise any concerns on the cabinet conference call, because according to him, there is “a substantive difference” between what he argued against during the Tory Leadership Contest and what Boris Johnson has done.

NEW: Matt Hancock tells @REWearmouth there is a “substantive difference” between when he argued parliament shouldn’t be prorogued on 31 October and the PM’s plan.

Matt Hancock can twist it any way he likes, he is just one among other parrots repeating what Dominic Cummings ordered him and other Ministers to tell journalists on prorogation. Hancock has not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If he can change his mind, why can’t you?

Matt Hancock./ BBC News.

Lizz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

Liz Truss, who was at the time of the Tory Leadership Contest supporting Boris Johnson, told Emily Maitlis on Newsnight that the idea of suspending parliament was an “archaic manoeuvre” that Boris Johnson had ruled out, adding, “He wants to bring parliament with him.” When Emily Maitlis asked: “He’s definitely ruling out proroguing or suspending parliament, is that right?” Liz Truss answered, “That’s right.”

Now:

She has so far remained silent and has not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If she can change her mind, why can’t you?

Liz Truss./ BBC Newsnight.

Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy — Conservatives.

Before joining Boris Johnson’s Government:

Andrea Leadsom told Beth Rigby in an interview for Sky News that “it would not be something workable to prorogue Parliament. It is certainly not something I would seek to do. It would be a bad idea.”

Now:

She has so far remained silent and has not resigned from Government, and is therefore fully supporting Boris Johnson’s Parliament shutdown.

If she can change her mind, why can’t you?

Andrea Leadsom./ Sky News

These are just a few examples of how they change their minds... so you don’t have to.🔷

The list above is not exhaustive and more familiar faces will be added soon...

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[This is an original piece, first published by the author in PoliticsMeansPolitics.com on 29 August 2019. | The author writes in a personal capacity.]

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